Capping machine



CAPPING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 5, 19.27

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CAPPING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 j lllh I June 4, 1929. Q w, CHALMERS 1,715,352

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June 4, 1929. G. W. CHALMERS CAP/PING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet ,4

June 4, 1929. G, W CHALMERS 1,715,352

GAPPING MACHINE l Filed July 5, 1927 e sheets-sheet 5 AWM" ww' n 69N/ 75M 67h l jjj j-f l/Tifentov j Hf June 4, 1929. G; w, CHALMERS l,7l5352 CAPPING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1927 6 Sl'i'ets-Sheqt f5 w g2g fg Patented Jun@Y 4, 1929.

IUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. CHALMERS, OF SUMMIT, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO lINTIERNATIOIQTAL PAT- ENTS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, F WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE. v

CAPPING MACHINE.

Application filed July l,

cipal object of the invention is to providel a new and improved machine which Will perform this operation more expeditiously,

more-certainly and positively and With less care and attention than is required with machines now used for this purpose.

A further obj ect is to provide means whereby adjustment can be made to accommodate.

the machine for cans of different height and to take up the wear of certain parts of the n'iachine. The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 3 is a plan view.

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a part of one of the vertically adjustable carriages supporting the endless chain capping mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fr-agmentary plan section on 'line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional View on line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on line 8 8 of Fig. 2.

. Fig. v9 is a vertical cross sectional view on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional View onl line 10 10 of Fig. 9.

Fig.\l1 is a view in perspective of another part of one VAof the carriages above referred to.

' Fig. 12 is a` similar view of another part of Ithe carriage; .and

Fig. 13 is a similar view of a part of the struct-ure for guiding the capping mechanism into contact with the can caps.

The operative parts of the machine are sup ported upon a frame comprising four spaced uprights 25, 2.6, 27 and 28, lower transverse members 29 and 30, upper transverse mem bers 31 and 32 and longitudinal members 33 and 34.

Secured to. the lower cross frame members Q9. is 'a table or runway 35 formed with longitudinal grooves 36, 36 for can convey- 1927. Serial No.v 203,627.

ing chains 37, 37, these chains projecting slightly above the upper surface of the table. The cans, indicated at a (Figs. 1, 2 and 5), are placed upon the right-hand end of the chains 37, having reference to Figs. l and ,5, by hand or by anyf suitable feeding means, and are moved by the chains lengthwise of thetable 35. Before reaching the table the caps or friction tops I) of the cans are put in place, for example, by hand, in the openings in the can'tops into which .they are to be ,driven by operation of the machine.

The caps are pressed into place to close the cans While the cans are being moved along table by means of an endless chain structure carrying a plurality of capping elements which, by deflection of the chain structure, are brought to bear against the caps to drive them into place, the chain carrier moving in. the same direction and at the same speed as the conveyor chains 37.

The chain carrier or capping mechanism is preferably constructed as follows: A pair of spaced endless chains 38-38 are provided operating over sprocketwheels 39 at opposite ends of the machine. The sprocket wheels are mounted upon horizontally adjustable' supports, for the purpose of adjustment of the tension of the chains, which supports are arranged on' vertically adjustable carriers whereby the whole capping structure may be raised or lowered to accommodate the machine for cans of different heights. .These supporting and adjusting devices will be described hereafter.

The chains 38 consist, in each case, of links 40, rollers 41, pintles 42 and Washers 43 (Figs. 9 and 10) together with angle members 44. which take the places of alternate links on one side of the chain. Rivetedlto the horizontal legs of the respectively opposite angle members one on one chain and one on the other are capping plates 45 which are the elements adapted to be brought to bear against the can caps to drive them into place in the can.

In order to force the can caps into the open tops of the cans, the lowerkruns of the chains 38 are deflected downwardly as they leave the sprockets 39 at the end of the machine at which the cans enter. After the capping operation has been completed, the chains with their capping plates are raised from the 'cans so that the cans may be moved down and-discharged from the machine. AThe deiection of the lower runs of chainsy 38 is accomplished by a pair of guides, one for each chain, designated 46 and constructed as'follows: 47 is a bar arranged above the chain, but slightly to one side of the same, to which is secured, at the end of the machine at which the cans enter,- a fixed guide 48, having a' downwardly sloping under surface, against which the rollers 41 of the chain bear. At the other end of bar 47 is a similar fixed guide 49 inclined in the opposite direction. Between these two guides are a plurality of upwardly yieldable guiding members consisting each of a block 50 provided with al pair of upstanding rods 51, 51, which extend through guide members 52, 53 (Figs. 9, 10 and 13) having-threaded stems 54 secured by nut 55 to the bar 47. The rods 51 are held in place by cotter pins 54, and are shouldered at 51a for a washer plate 56 between which and the upper guide 53 are arranged coiled springs 57. The initial pressure on the can cap is exerted by the fixed guide 48. The driving in of the caps .is completed by the yieldable guide blocks 50 which because of theircapacity to yield'in an upward direction will give way against rather than crush a can if slightly greater in height thanthe other cans, or if'the cap cannot be driven down as far as the caps v of the other cans, or in case the adjustment of tie capping mechanism for any reason is too c ose.

The driving mechanism for the can conveying chains and the 4capping mechanism is as follows: 58'is an electric motor, the base 59 of which is securedto the longitudinal frame members 33, 34. The armature shaft 60 of the motor is connected by a flexible conneotion 61, with a worm shaft 62, (Fig. 2) meshed with a worm wheel 63, on a shaft 64 journaled in the housing 65 of the worm wheel and in a bearing 66 on a`bracket 67 on the bridging member 68 which carries the Worm gear housing. Y Shaft 64 carries a sprocket wheel 69 for a drive chain 70, .Which extends over a sprocket 'wheel 71 fixed to a shaft 72, to which one pair of the sprockets of the capping mechanisni are keyed. The mounting of the shaft 72 will -bedescribed in connection with the arrangement for adjusting the height of the capping mechanism. Shaft 7 2 also carries 4a sprocket 73 for adi-ive chain 74 which extends around a sprocket 75 onva stub shaft 76, turning in bearings 77 on a bracket 7 8secured to the upright frame` niember 25. Shaft 76 has fixed' thereto a spur gear 79l meshing with a' spur gear 80, on a shaft 81 mounted in a bearing 82 on bracket :78 and in'a bearing 83 carriedby a bracket 84 secured to the forward end of the table 35. Shaft 81 has thereto, a .pair of .sprocket wheels 85, for the can conveying chains 37. 1 The bracket 84 has secured therefto a pair-'of guide plates 8,6--86 at the level of the upper surface of the table. Gears 79, 80 are reversing gears so that'the upper runs of chains 37, 37 are driven in the same direcv tion as the lower runs of chains 38, 38V of the can capping mechanism. VThe elements 'of the gearing have ratios proportioned so that the two pairs of chains move at the same speed.

The arrangements whereby the capping` mechanism may be raised and lowered and whereby thc tension of its chains may be adjusted are as follows: The sprocket wheels of the can capping mechanism are fixed to shafts which are carried by longitudinally 96 tapped for set screws 97 which extendthrough slots 98 in the uprights. Each guide block 92 is formed with a threaded .perforation 99, for an adjusting screw 100 having -Aa smooth portion 101 turning in a bushing 102 in th'evtransverse framemember 3.1 or 32, as the-case may be. Fixed to the upperrend of the screw 100 is a sprocket wheel 103. The screw shaft 101 terminates in a squared poi'- tion 104, to which a wrench may be applied.

A chain 105 extends around all four sprockets so that when a wrench is applied to one `of the screw shafts, all four shafts are turned simultaneously at both ends of both of the carriages 88. Any substantial adjustment of the cappingl mechanism, as for example, for cansof different height, will involve ofcourse, substituting chains of different lengths for the lchains 70, 74. i I

The arrangements for adjustingthe ten,- sion of the capping mechanism chains are as follows, these arrangements being .duplicated Vat opposite ends of the machine: The support 87 for sprocket shaft 72 consists of two members 106 (Fig. 12) .made right and left, and a connecting member 107 (F ig. 11.). Each member 106 has a longitudinal rib 108 fitting into a' correspondingly formed groove 109 in the lower webs 110 of the carriage 8S, these webs being foi-ined with slots 111 for adjusting set screws '112 that screw into the member 106. The member 106 is formed with a half. bearing 113 (Fig. 7) for the sli-aft 72 which is retained iii-place bythe removable half bearing 114fastened'to the other bearing member by screws 115. Each of the members 106 has a forwardly projecting bracket 116 and the transverse member -107 is secured bellt) tween the brackets 11.6 by screw's 117. The

guiding the upper runs vof the capping mechanism chains and these guide bars are secured to the lugs 118, on the inner sides of the lugs, by bolts 120, the guide bar being slotted at 121 (Fig. 8). It will be understood that the attachment of the guide'bars at each end of the machine is the same. The guide bars 47 for the lower runs of the capping mechanism chains are slotted at their opposite ends, as indicated at 122, and secured by 'bolts 123 to the inner faces of the lower pair of lugs 119 of the transverse member 107. Each of the two members 107 at the opposite ends of the machine is formed with a threaded boss 124, the threads, however, being opposite threads and these threaded bosses are engaged bythe correspondingly threaded ends of an adjusting rod 125 provided ata place intermediate its ends with heads 126 apertured for a crow bar or the like. The adjustment is maintained by lock nuts 127. V Y

The operationot1 the 'apparatus as above described is as follows: The cans a with their caps Z) placed over openings in the tops of the cans are moved under the capping mechanism by the conveyinf chains 37. The cappin plates 45 on the chains 38 of the capping mec ianism are brought down upon the caps by' the deflection of the chains produced by the fixed guides 48. Theiyieldable guides 50 completeV the capping operation while yielding, when necessary, to prevent injury to the cans. The capping chains and their capping plates then move away from the cans as the chains ride up fixed guides 49.

To adjust the machine for cans of dierent heights, set screws 97 are loosened and the 'carriages 88 carrying the can capping mechanism are raised or lowered by application 'of a wrench to the squared end 104 of one of the adjusting screws 100, after which the set screws 97 are again tightened. v

To adj ust the tension of the carrier chains of the capping mechanism the set screws 112 are loosened and also the nuts on the bolts 120 and 123 which secure the upper and lower guide-bars for the can capping chains,land after loosening the locknut 127 the adjusting rod 125 is turned to either bring the longitudinally' adjustable supports 87 toward each other or separate them, as may benecessary. I/Vhen this adjustment has beenr made,.the set screws, bolts and lock nuts are tightened.

In comparison with capping machines of the rotary type, the machine of my present invention, which operates on the principle of moving the cans in a straight line, is more efficient and certain in its operation. lIt can be operated at a higher speed, that is so as to cap a larger number of cans per minute thanv the machines of the .rotary type. The caps are less likely to be displaced before they are acted upon by the capping mecha-- nism so that less supervision of the operation is required. The machine 'is readily adjustable for cans of dierent heights and can also be quickly' and accurately adjusted to compensate for wear. The capping action is positive and'at the same time there isno danger of injury to cans by crushing.

I claim:

1. In a can capping machine, the combination of means for moving the cans in a' straight line and capping means positioned for movement above and substantially parallel to the path of travel of the cans, said capping means comprising a plurality of flexibly supported capping elements and means for holding these elements from yielding upwardly during the first part of the travel of the cans and for subsequently permitting the yielding movement thereof.

, 2. In a can capping machine, the combination of means for moving cans'over a straight line path, an endlesschain carrier arranged above and inline with the path, of the cans, capping elements on said carrier, a stationary guide for the'low'er run of the carrier which forces the middle portion thereof downwardly against the can caps, said guide comprisving a fixed downwardly sloping guiding member to depress the capping elements against the can caps and upwardly yielding guiding members against which the middle portion of the run of the carrier bears.

3. In a can capping machine, the combination of a longitudinally 'grooved table, an'endless chain carrier for the cans movable `in the grooved portion of the table, an endless chain carrier arranged above andvin line with the path of the cans, capping elements on said carrier, and means for forcing the lower lrun of the carrier, with its capping elements down against the can caps.

4. In a can capping machine, the combination of a supporting frame comprising a pair of spaced uprights at each end of the machine, and endless chain conveyor for the cans supported on said frame, a vertically movable carriage between each pair of uprights, supj ports on the carriages movable longitudinally with respect t-o the machine, sprockets carried by said supports, an endless chain carrier op erating over said sprockets, and provided with capping elements, means for adjusting the positions vertically of the carriages, and means for giving longitudinal adjustment to said supports on the carriage, comprising an adj ust-ing screw having right and left threads engaging said s rocket supports at opposite ends of the mac ine.

5. In a can capping machine, the combination `of means for moving the, cans over a straight line patlnand an endless chain capping mechanism arranged above and in line with the path of the cans comprising a pair of sprockets at each end ofthe machine, chains attached tosaid angle members and spring means for independently urging the capping plates toward the cans.

l 6. In a can ca ping machine, the combination 'of -means ormoving the cans over a straight line path, vand an endless chain capping mechanism arranged above and in line with the path of the cans comprising sprock= ets at opposite-ends of the machine, a chain extending around said sprockets comprising rollers and connecting links, can capping elements on said chain, and a multipart yieldlable'guide to deflect the middle portion of t-ion of means the lowerrun of the chain downwardly, which guide is engaged by the rollers of said chain` 7. In a can ca ping machine, the combinaor moving the cans over a straight line path, and an endless chain capping 4mechanism arranged above and in line with the path oftheicans comprising sprockets at opposite ends of the machine, a chainy extending around said sprockets comprising rollers and connectinglinks, can capping elements" on said chain, anda guide to' deflect the middle portion of the lower run of the chain downwardly, which guide is engaged by the rollers of said chain, said guide comprising a plurality of blocks 'and springs gainst which said blocks can yield -upwardly. o

8. In a can cappingmachine, the combination of means for moving the cans over a straight line path, and an endless chain capmechanism arranged abovel and in line the 'path of the cans o comprising sprockets at opposite ends of the machine, a chain extending around said sprockets comprising rollers and connecting links, can capping elements on said chain, a longitudinally extending late arranged above the lower run of the c ain, a plurality of blocks against Awhich the rollersv of the chain bear, rods on plates extending from chain to chain and atsaid blocks, .guides on the plate for said rods and coiled springs arranged so as to be coml lpressedY bythe upwardmovement of the 9. Ina can capping'machine, the combination ,of means or moving the cans over a straight l' e path, and an endless chain cap- 'ping mec anism arranged above and in line with the path of the cans comprising 'a pair of sprockets at each end of the machine, chains to operatie over said sprockets comprising rollers and links, a plurality oaf angle members securedto said chains, .capping tached to said angle members, a longitudinally extending plate arranged above the lower run of the chain, a plurality of blocks against which the 'rollers ofthe chain bears, rods on said blocks, guides on the plates for said rods, and coiled springs arranged so as to be compressed by the upward movement of theA of the cans, and meansfor simultaneously yieldingly urging separate portions of the capping mechanism toward each of a plu- 'rality of cans in the series. v

12. In a can capping machine, the combination of a conveyor for support-ing and transporting a series of cans, a iiexible traveling capping mechanism arranged to travel with the conveyor above the path of travel of the cans, and relatively stationary guidingmeans inclined downwardly so as' to progressively urge the capping mechanism toward the cans, a portion of the guiding means consisting of a series of independent sections, and means for yieldingly urging each section separately toward the cans.

13. In a -can fcapping machine, a pair of endless flexible conveyors, means for driving the conveyors so that opposed runs of the two conveyors travel in the same direction,

fixed guiding means for one of the conveyors whereby this conveyor may serve as a support for a series of cans, the cans being positi'oned between theopposed runs of the two conveyors, the other conveyor carrying a -plurality of capping' elements and guiding means for the second lconveyor inclined so as to progressively force thecapping elements toward the cans, a portion of the latter guiding means .consisting of a plurality of independently movable sections, and means for yieldingly urging leach section toward the cans. 7

l GEORGE w, cHALMEas. 

